Music
National CD Reviews – November 2010
Reviews of new and recent releases from Atheist, Bad Religion, Black Mountain, Chromeo, Dag Nasty, Dimmu Borgir, Gold Panda, Junip, Kylesa, Legendary Pink Dots, Owen Pallett, Small Black, Swans, Three Mile Pilot and many more.
Hooray For Earth @ Kilby Court
New York City’s Hooray For Earth popped into town last Thursday at Kilby Court and blew the spot up, as the hip hoppers would say. Hooray for Earth is a new brand of old ideas based on synth sounds from the 80s that incorporate modern song phrasings, lyrical styling and attitude. The result is an infectious beat machine combined with great vocal choruses and genuine joy-inducing structure. … read more
Cobra Skulls @ Kilby Court
To put it bluntly, Cobra Skulls—their name, logo, music and everything they entail—are completely bad ass. Hints of psychobilly, reggae, country, ska and good old rock n’ roll all influence their music, but Cobra Skulls play pure punk rock that is smart enough not to take itself too seriously. … read more
Active Child and School of Seven Bells @ Urban Lounge...
I wasn’t really sure what kind of a show I was getting myself into, but I’d heard both Active Child and School of Seven Bells on a few occasions and remembered good things, so off to Urban Lounge I went. I arrived a little late (shows that start on time?! genius!), but when I got through the doors, an ethereal, crisp vibe filled the room. It was like Tears For Fears somehow made it to 2010 and turned into one person—in the best way possible.
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National CD Reviews – October 2010
Reviews of new releases from Blonde Redhead, Boris & Ian Astbury, Dark Dark Dark, Enslaved, Les Savy Fav, Masakari, NOFX, Pretty Lights, Tera Melos, The Thermals and many, many more. … read more
Smashing Pumpkins 09.17 @ In the Venue
Honestly, I went into this show with low expectations. Sure, I listened to Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness in Jr. high school. I bought the Aeroplane Flies High box set. I was one of the disappointed when Adore came out sans Jimmy Chamberlain (and sans rocking), who slowly converted to the album’s beauty. I actually liked Machina/the Machines of God, and I saw the Pumpkins absolutely kill it at Saltair on that final tour in 2000. … read more
Napalm Flesh: Calling All Heraldic Beasts
Gear up, grab your sword, prepare your chain mail and polish your shield this week’s Ye Olde Metal Blog features an interview with Grand Master Jaldaboath, the knight behind the absolutely one of a kind band Jaldaboath. Also on tap for this week’s blog are some extended reviews of new albums from U.S. Christmas and Death Angel. … read more
Titus Andronicus with Free Energy @ Kilby 09.14
I thought I’d be the only Titus Andronicus fan at this show, but was pleasantly surprised when a friend showed up who was just as eager to see them. The crowd was intimate, but lively.
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Avett Brothers @ Deer Valley
If you’ve never heard The Avett Brothers’ music, your life isn’t what it could be—and that’s a fact. Is that a bold statement? Sure is, but they are a bold band: they cross lines, break boundaries and smash genres to pieces within a single song. To do that, and make it sound good, is no easy task. … read more
Primus @ The Rail
Going into this show I had no idea what to expect. I’d already seen Primus at the Snocore Music Tour in 1998 and they put on a great show with a random line up of punk, ska, and reggae bands. Several years later they’re wrapping up a their tour with another random group whipping the ass of the mainstream scene, Gogol Bordello. Both bands seem to be composed of crazy people and attract crazy fans. … read more